Sen. Nelson, Demings discuss action for guns

Sen. Bill Nelson and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings joined together to discuss executive actions on guns Tuesday.

Nelson held a news conference in downtown Orlando to discuss the 19 possible executive actions. President Barack Obama is expected to make an announcement later in the week on guns.

In the past, Nelson has voted in support of a ban on assault weapons, saying, "They're meant for killing, not for hunting." He has in the past supported universal background checks.

An AK-47 and a Bushmaster rifle straight from the evidence locker at the Orange County Sheriff's Office were on display during the discussion.

"What we see on the streets of Orange County, often when these weapons show up on scene, is violence. They're not being used on defense," said Demings. "They're being used as offensive weapons by criminals."

During the news conference, Demings said that tougher gun laws are needed and Nelson wants to have a serious discussion about guns.

"This is not an assault on the Second Amendment. I support the Second Amendment. I own guns," said Nelson. "I don't want the government telling me whether or not I can own a gun, that's part of my constitutional right."

Nelson said the gun show loophole needs to be plugged. He said if dealers have to check criminal backgrounds, traders and neighbors need to do the same.

"Why in the world would we not want to see if someone buying a weapon has a criminal record?" asked Nelson.

He thinks the 1994 assault weapons ban should be used as a guide because he voted against letting it expire in 2004.

Demings said in the mass shootings there was a plan and that people noticed things. He said that's a key to a safer community.

"There's always someone who sees something unusual, suspicious, and they should be alerting the authorities to what they're seeing," said Demings.

Nelson said he gets very uncomfortable when firepower designed for military superiority makes its way into homes and onto the streets. He was recently elected to his third six-year term.

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